Liquid spray device



1952 E. N. BATES ET AL LIQUID SPRAY DEVICE Filed April 1, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS [PA 57 MBA res BY & P5X 1 547755 ATTORNEY Aug- 6, 1952 E. N. BATES ET AL 2,608,439

LIQUID SPRAY DEVICE Filed April 1, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 .lllllll g 45 Quin-4 INVENTORS E 5 fE/KEST A! 3A T55 ATTORNEY Aug. 26, 1952 E. BATES ET AL LIQUID SPRAYDEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 1, 1949 INVENTORS' f/P/VEST/M 5,4 755 BY& P5X 1 514 7255 A T7O/P/VEY Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIQUID SPRAY DEVICE Ernest N. Bates and Rex V. Bates, Detroit, Mich.

Application April 1, 1949, Serial No. 84,838

10 Claims.

This invention relates to portable chemical mixing and dispensing units of the type usable as washing and scrubbing equipment, spraying equipment, and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide improved means for mixing soaps, detergents and other chemicals with water as supplied under pressure, dispersing the soap, detergents or other chemical in aqueous solution, and dispensin the resultant solution alone or with clear water at the option of the user in such varied proportions as may be selected by the user.

The invention is disclosed in the form of a chemical dispensing and washing unit particularly usable as an automobile washer; however, it is obvious that the washer may be for other purposes such as washing down buildings, boats and the like, scrubbing floors, and for many other purposes where varied aqueous soap and detergent solutions are desired or required. Also, by substituting a spray nozzle for the brush e1ement, the invention may be used as a sprayer or fertilizer spreader when charged with dissolvable crystal or powdered insecticides or fertilizer.

Other objects of the invention will become ap parent by reference to the following detailed de-' scription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of a chemical dispensing and washing unit embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view taken from the left hand side of the chemical dispensing and washing unit as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 494 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through the pressure operated fresh water intake spray nozzle valve preferably employed.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5. i

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 1 showing a hydraulically operated rotary type scrubbing brush which may be employed advantageously with the invention.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view of the said hydraulic rotary brush taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the selective mixing control valve preferably employed, the fresh water valve element and the chemical valve element being shown in their closed position. v i l l I Fig. 10 is a bottom elevational view of the selective mixing control valve shown in Fig. 9. l

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 9 showing the fresh water valve element of the selective mixing control valve 9 in its open position.

Fig- 12 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the means for holding the said fresh water valve element of the selective control valve p n Fig. 13 is a top plan view with portions broken away taken on the line l3--l3 of Fig- 9 showing the grooving of the top of the fresh water valve element valve stem guide nut to accommodate the positioning pin employed to maintain the fresh water valve element open? or closed.

Referring now to the drawing wherein. like numerals refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the particular embodiment of the chemical mixing and dispensing unit disclosed for the purpose of illustrating the invention comprises, in general, a portable pressure tank 20 connected to a pressure fresh water supply such as. a hose bib 2| by a suitable hose 22, a fresh water line 23 extending laterally through the tank 2|], a chemical flow line 24 beginning at a point within the tank 20 near the bottom thereof, running vertically within the tank 20 near the side thereof opposite the sidewhere the said fresh water line 23 enters the said tank 20, and extending out the side of the tank 20 adjacent the point where the said fresh water line 23 leaves the tank, a pressure operated fresh water intake spray nozzle valve 25 disposed in the fresh water line 23 within the tank 20 at the side of the said tank 20 adjacent theside where the said fresh water line 23 enters the said tank 20, the said tank 20 including an open collar 26 at the top thereof providing a chemical filler opening,.a cap 2'! over thesaid collar, a pair of apertured cap anchor arms 28 extending upwardly from the said collar, a yoke 29 disposable through the said apertured cap anchor arms 28, and an anchorage screw 30 threaded through the said yoke engaging the cap 2! pressure sealing the cap 21 over the open collar 26 of the said tank 20, a removable reticulated chemical container 3i for soap, detergent and other chemicals disposed in the said collar 26 with a portion thereof extending down into the said tank 29 in range of spray emitted from the fresh water intake spray nozzle 25, a selective mixing control valve 32, a fresh water hose 33 and a chemical hose 34 connecting the fresh water line 23 and chemical flow line 24 respectively to the said selective mixing control valve 32, a hydraulic brush 35, and a selected mixture discharge line 36 connesting the selective mixing control valve 32 to the said hydraulic brush 35. The said pressure tank 2c is preferably provided with a cleanout aperture 3? at the bottom thereof plugged by a suitable drain plug till. On large units where the pressure tank 26 is heavy, rubber tired wheels 38 are preferably provided near the rear thereof and a suitable foot 3d is provided at the front thereof. A handle til is extending upwardly from the back of the pressure tank 2%"; including a hand grip ii on the upper end thereof is provided as an aid to mobi ity of the unit.

The pressure operated fresh water intake spray nozzle valve 25 is disposed in the fresh water line 23 within the pressure tank as by means of a T-fitting t2 which has its branch :52!) upwardly projecting as best indicated in Figs. 4 and 5. The fresh water intake spray nozzle valve 25 serves both as a spray nozzle and as a pressure valve which closes when pre.. b

sure within the'pressure tank '28 is sufficient to overcome the water pressure in the fresh water line 23. The said fresh water intake spray nozzle valve 25 comprises a sleeve 33 .interiorly threaded at 533 to fit onto the upwardly disposed branch 425 of the T-fitting t2 and interiorly threaded at Mild to receive a nozzle cap id. The said sleeve 43 is provided with a horizontal por- 4. the clearance between the turbine wheel 51 and the brush head 55. The periphery of the brush head 56 is covered uniformly with suitable bristles 55 while the turbine wheel 5! is provided with a tufted bristle brush 58. Any type of a hydraulic brush 35 may be employed when the chemical mixing and dispensing unit is employed, for cleaning purposes, and, when the unit is used as a sprayer, a suitable nozzle is substituted for the said hydraulic brush 55.

The selective mixing control valve 32 shown in Figs. 9-11 inclusive comprises a housing 59 having an upper horizontal fresh water intake port 5! to which the fresh Water hose 33 is connected, a lower horizontal chemical intake port 62 to which the chemical hose 34 is connected,

tion 45 located between its interiorly threaded ends which is provided with a central aperture #35 and is beveled around the top of the said central aperture 46 to provide a valve seat sr for the gravity valve member 48. The gravity valve member "is is formed with a hex body as, a beveled valve portion 55 which seats on the valve seat 7, and an upwardly disposed solid stem 5!. The nozzle cap G is threaded at are to assemble into the upper threaded end of the sleeve 43 and is annularly cuppedat 52 to receive in slidable telescoping relationhip the hex body 4c of the gravity valve member :22. The nozzle cap M is also provided with an up wardly extending sleeve nozzle 53 communicating with the annular cup 52 thereof, into which sleeve 53 the upwardly disposed solid stem 5i of the valve member 33 loosely telescopes. Before asembling the pressure operated fresh water spray nozzle 25, a twisted slightly open ring S is positioned loosely around the solid ste.. 5i of the valve member .8. This permits water from the fresh water line 23 to pass through the spray nozzle 25 when the gravity valve member 48 is lifted by water pressure from the fresh water line 23, which water passes from the sleeve nozzle 53 and strikes the interior of thetop of the tank 25 whereupon a portion of the fresh water strikes the reticulated chemicalv container 3| and dissolves a portion of the soap, detergent or other soluble chemical therein. 7

Any type of hydraulic brush may be used, either stationary or rotary. In some cleaning operations a hydraulic brush having a rotating element therein is preferred. Such a rotary hydraulic brush is. illustrated in Figs. 1, '7 and 8, and, not being a part of this invention except as an operating element, the said rotary hydraulic brush will not be described in detail except that it comprises a hollow handle 55 connected to the selected mixture discharge line 38 through which clear water from the fresh water line 23' or a selected solution from the pressure tank 29 or a mixture thereof passes to the brush head 7 55 into which is rotatably mounted a water turbine wheel from whence clear water or selected solution or a mixture thereof escapes to'the turbine brush 5% through and a horizontal discharge port 63'to which the selected mixture discharge line 35 is connected. The fresh water intake port 51 communicates with an upper fresh Water valve chamber 65 and the chemical intake port 62 communicates with a lower chemical valve chamber at, which chambers 55 and 86 are connected to a fresh water passage 67 and chemical passage 1 65 respectively which are normally closed by spring loaded valves to and ill respectively. The said fresh water passage t? and the chemical passage communicate with a mixing chamber t l which leads to the said horizontal discharge port to which the said selected mixture discharge line 36 is connected. The spring loaded valves 68 and iii are. preferably cylindrical in shape, seat on neoprene or other type seats 596 and H38, and are each provided with a stern ii and if respectively which are reciprocatingly mounted in vertically and axially bored guide nuts 53 and i4 threaded in the top and bottom respectively of the housing Bil. Each of the said valve stems B5 and ill are provided with an annular groove F5 to accommodate an O-ring 16 which serves as packing between the-said valve stems H and T2 and the guide nuts 13 and M respectively. Compression springs TI and 18 disposed around the stem ii and '12 respectively of each of the valves 59 and Id react against the guide nut 13 and 14 respectively.

The fresh water control valve 69 has a knurled operating knob is fixed on its stemll by means of a suitable pin 89. A valve control pin 8! is disposed through and extends from both-sides of the valve stem H in spaced relationship below the said knurled operating knob 59, which valve control pin is disposed in the deep transverse groove 82 in the top 33 of the guide nut '53, see Fig. 13; When it is desired to open the fresh water control valve 6'53, the knurled operating knob is is pulled out and rotated 90 degrees in either direction andreleased, whereupon the valve control pin 8! seats in the V-groove 84 provided therefor as best shown in Figs. 11 and 12. In this latter described position of the operating knob lllofthe fresh water control valve es, the said valve 59 isf-unseated and fresh water passes from the freshwater hose 33, through'the fresh water intake port .61, through the fresh water. valve chamber 55, through the fresh water passage 61, through the mixing chamber '55 and out the discharge port 53 into the selected mixture dischargelinees.

The bottom of housing Gil of the selective mixing control valve-32 is provided with a lug B8B onto which a chemical control valve operating lever 85 is pivotally mounted on a pivot 86 extending through the said lug 65!! of the housing 69 and through spaced lugs filprovided on the chemicalcontrol valve opera-tinglever 85 near the inner end thereof. The outer end of the stem 12 of the chemical control valve '10 is pin. connected to the inner end of the chemical control valve operating lever 85 by means of a pin 88 extending through the said stem 12 of the chemical control valve and a pair of spaced lugs 89 located at the inner end of the said chemical control valve operating lever 85. With this construction, the pressing of the outer end of the chemical control valve operating lever 85 opens the chemical control valve 70 and causes chemicals from the pressure tank to pass through the chemical flow line 24, through the chemical hose 34, through the chemical intake port 62, through the chemical valve chamber 66, throughthe chemical passage 68, through the mixing chamber 64, and out the discharge port 63 into the selected mixture discharge line 36. The chemical control valve operating lever 85 is so arranged that it can be readily manipulated by the same hand that holds the hose-lines 33 and 34 and the selective mixing control valve 32, thus leaving the other hand of the operator free to handle the brush 35 or any implement substituted therefor.

Obviously, when only fresh water is required or desired, the fresh water control valve 69 is opened by manipulating the fresh water control valve operating knob 19. Also, when only chemical are required or desired, the chemical control valve Ill is opened by manipulating the chemical control valve operating lever 85. In the case of chemicals, the chemical control valve Ill can be opened to a minute degree, or can be fully opened, or can be opened to any degree desired. By opening the fresh water control valve 69 and manipulating the chemical control valve 10 to the degree of opening desired, any combination or strength of solution can be obtained from pure water to a concentrated aqueous solution of chemicals.

Therefore, and as only one example of the operation of the invention, in washing an automobile, the reticulated chemical container 3| is filled with a powdered soap and a soapy solution can be obtained by opening the chemical control valve Ill only. A pure rinse water can be obtained by opening the fresh water control valve 69 only. A diluted solution of completely mixed and dispersed soap and water can be had by opening both the fresh water control valve 69 and the chemical control valve 10. If a weaker solution is required, the chemical control valve 10' is manipulated accordingly. The same situation is true when a detergent is employed rather than a soap; Likewise, a similar situation is true when chemical mixing and dispensing units embodying the invention are used asa sprayer or fertilizer spreader or for other purposes.

The invention is readily and effectively employed wherever and whenever a varied solution from a dissolvable crystalline or powdered chemical or soap is required alone or in alternation with clear water.

Although but a single embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and described in detail, it is obvious that many changes may be made in the size, shape, arrangement and detail of the various elements of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

1. A chemical mixer comprising a pressure tank, a fresh water supply line extending through the said tanknear the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from the tank beginning at a point within thetank near the bottom thereof,

valve means for opening and closing the fresh 1 water line and the chemical flow line independently of each other after they leave the tank, a reticulated chemicalholder disposed in the tank at the top thereof, a freshwater intake nozzle valve disposed in the fresh water line within the tank closed responsive to air pressure built up within the tank and openable responsive to a drop of air pressure within the tank resulting from opening the chemical flow line from the tank, the said fresh water intake nozzle valve being located to spray fresh water on the reticulated chemical holder when chemical solution is being withdrawn from the said tank.

2. A chemical mixer comprising a pressure tank, a fresh water supply line extending laterally through the said tank nearthe top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from a point within the tank near the bottom thereof leaving the tank near the top thereof adjacent the point where the fresh water line leaves the tank, valve means for opening and closing the fresh water line and the chemical flow line independently of each other after they leave the tank, a reticulated chemical holder disposed within the said pressure tank above the said fresh water supply line,

and a fresh water intake nozzle valve disposed in the said fresh water line within the tank adjacent the said reticulated chemical holder in spray relationship thereto normally open but automatically closable responsive to air pressure within the pressure tank created by the tank becoming filled with water and automatically openable responsive to a drop in air pressure within the pressure tank caused by the withdrawal of fluid through the chemical ilow line.

3. A washer or spray comprising a pressure tank, a fresh water supplyline extending through the said tank near the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from the tank beginning at a point within the tank near the bottom thereof, a mixing valve hose connected to the fresh water supply line and hose connected to the chemical flow line including a mixture discharge hose leading therefrom, valve means within the said mixing valve for opening and closing the fresh water line and the chemical flow line independently of each other after they leave the tank, a reticulated chemical holder disposed in the tank at the top thereof, a fresh waterintake nozzle valvedisposed in the freshwater line within the tank closed responsive to air pressure built up within the tank and openable responsive to a drop of air pressure within the tank resulting from opening the chemical flow line from the tank, the said fresh water intake nozzle valve being located to spray fresh water on the reticulated chemical holder when chemical solution is being withdrawn from the said tank.

4. A chemical mixer comprising a pressure tank including an upwardly disposed collar and a closure means therefor, a fresh water supply line extending through the said tank near the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from the tank beginning at a point within the tank near the bottom thereof, valve means for opening and closing the fresh water line and the chemical flow line independently of each other after they leave the tank, a reticulated chemical holder disposed in collar of the said tankand extending downwardly in the top thereof above the said fresh water line therethrough, a fresh water intake nozzle valve disposed in thefresh water line within the tank closed responsive to air pressure builtup within the tank and openable responsive'to a dropiof air pressure within the tank. resulting fromopening the chemical iiow linefrom the tank, the said fresh water intake nozzle valve, being located, to spray fresh water on the reticulatedchemical holder when chemical solution is being withdrawn from the said tank. 1

5. A washer orfspray comprising a pressure tank including an upwardly disposed collar and a closure means therefor, a fresh water supply line extending through, the said tank near the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from the tank beginning at a point within the tank near the bottom thereof, a mixing valve hose connected to the fresh water supply line and hose connected to the chemical flow line. including a mixture discharge hose leading therefrom,

valve means within the said mixingvalve for opening and closing thefresh water line and the chemical flow line independentlyof each other after they leave the tank, a reticulated chemical holder disposed in collar of the said tank and extending downwardly in the top thereof above the said fresh water line. therethroush, a fresh water intake nozzle valve disposed in, the fresh water line within the tank closed responsive to air pressure built up within the tank and openable responsive to a drop of air pressure within the tank resulting from opening the chemical flow line from the tank, the said fresh water intake nozzle valve being located to spray fresh water on the reticulated chemical holder when chemical solution is being withdrawn from the said tank.

6.,A chemical :mixer comprising a pressure tank, a fresh water supply line extending through the said tank near the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from the tank beginning at a point within the tank near the bottom thereof, valve means for opening and closing the fresh water line and the chemical flow line independently of each other after they leave the tank, a reticulated chemicalholder disposed in the tank at the top thereof, afresh water intake nozzle valve disposed in the fresh water line within the tank closed responsive to air pressure'built-up within the tank and openable responsive to a drop of air pressure within the tank resulting from opening the chemical flow line from the tank, the said fresh water intake nozzle valve being located to spray fresh water on the reticulated chemical holder when chemical solution is being withdrawn from the said tank, the said fresh water intake nozzle valve consisting of a housing having a central aperture therein'formed around said central aperture to provide a gravity valve seat, a nozzle cap over the said ,housingineluding an upwardly extending sleeve forming a nozzle, a gravity valve member within the said housing and nozzle cap having'a stem telescoping loosely within the said upwardly extending sleeve and including a valve portion which seats on the said gravity valve seat, and an open twisted washer disposed around the said stem of the gravity valve member whereby to admit of the passage of fresh water through the nozzle gcap when the fresh water intakenozzle valve is open responsive to a drop of air pressure within the said tank.

7. A chemicalmixer comprising a pressure tank, a fresh water supply line extending laterally through the said tank near the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from a point within the tank near the bottomthereof leav- 8 ing the tank near the, top thereof adjacent the point where the fresh water line leaves the tank, valve means for selectively opening and closing the fresh water line and the chemical .flow line independently of each other after they leave the tank, means for maintaining the said fresh water valve means open, the valve means for opening and closing the said chemical flow line being spring loaded inits closed position and operable only manually to the extent and duration required, a reticulated chemical holder disposed within-the said pressure tank above the said fresh water supply line, and a fresh water intake nozzle valve disposed in the said fresh water line within the tank adjacent the said reticulated chemical holder normally open but automatically closable responsive to air pressure within the pressure tank created by the tank becoming filled with water and automatically openable responsive to a drop in air pressure within the pressure tank caused by the withdrawal of fluid through the chemical flow line.

.8. A washer or spray comprising a pressure tank, a fresh water supply line extending through the said tank near the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from the tank beginning at a point within the tank near the bottom there of, a mixing valve hose connected to the fresh water supply line and hose connected to the chemical flow line including a mixture discharge hose leading therefrom, valve means within the said mixing valve for opening and closing the fresh water line and the chemical fiow line independently of each other after they leave the tank, means for maintaining the said fresh water valve means open, the valve means for opening and closing the said chemical flow line being spring loaded in its closed position and operable only manually to the extent and duration required, a reticulated chemical holder dis-- posed in the tank at the top thereof, a fresh water intake nozzle valve disposed in the fresh water line within the tank closed responsive to air pressure built up within the tank and'openable responsive to a drop of air pressure within the tank resulting from opening the chemical flow line from the tank, the said fresh water intake nozzle valve being located to spray fresh water on the reticulated chemical'holder when chemical solution is being withdrawn from the said tank, the said fresh water itnake nozzle valve consisting of a housing having a central aperture therein formed around said central aperture to provide a gravity valve seat, a nozzle cap over'the said housing including an upwardly extending sleeve forming a nozzle, a gravity valve member within the said housing and nozzle cap having a stem telescoping loosely within the said upwardly extending sleeve and including a valve portion which seats on the said gravity valve seat, and an open twisted washer disposed around the said stem of the gravity valve member whereby to admit of the passage of fresh water through the nozzle cap when the fresh waterintake nozzle valve is open responsive to a drop of air pressure within the said tank.

9. A chemical mixer comprising a pressure tank, including an upwardly disposed collarand a closure means therefor, a fresh water supply line extending through the said'tank near the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from the tank beginning at a point within the tank near the bottom thereof, valve means for opening and closing the fresh water line and the chemical flow line independently of each other after they leave the tank, means for maintaining the said fresh water valve means open, the valve means for opening and closing the said chemical flow line being springloaded in its closed position and operable only manually to the extent and duration required, a reticulated chemical holder disposed in collar of the said tank and extending downwardly in the top thereof above the said fresh water line therethrough, a fresh water intake nozzle valve disposed in the fresh Water line within the tank closed responsive to air pressure built up within the tank and perable responsive to a drop of air pressure within the tank resulting from opening the chemical flow line from the tank, the said fresh water intake nozzle valve being located to spray fresh water on the reticulated chemical holder when chemical solution is being withdrawn from the said tank.

10. A washer or spray comprising a pressure tank, including an upwardly disposed collar and a closure means therefor, a fresh Water supply line extending through the said tank near the top thereof, a chemical flow line extending from the tank beginning at a point within the tank near the bottom thereof, a mixing valve hose connected to the fresh Water supply line and hose connected to the chemical flow line including a mixture discharge hose leading therefrom,

valve means within the said mixing valve for posed in the fresh water line within the tank closed responsive to air pressure built up within the tank and openable responsive to a drop of air pressure within the tank resulting from opening the chemical flow line from the tank, the said fresh Water intake nozzle valve being located to spray fresh water on the reticulated chemical holder when chemical solution is being withdrawn from the said tank, the said. fresh water intake nozzle valve consisting of a housing having a central aperture therein formed around said central aperture to provide a gravity valve seat, a nozzle cap over the said housing including an upwardly extending sleeve forming a nozzle, a gravity valve member within the said housing and nozzle cap having a stem telescoping loosely within the said upwardly extending sleeve and including a valve portion which seats on the said gravity valve seat, and an open twisted washer disposed around the said stem of the gravity valve member whereby to admit of the passage of fresh water through the nozzle cap when the fresh water intake nozzle valve is open responsive to a drop of air pressure within the said tank.

ERNEST N. BATES. REX V. BATES.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,764,387 Bucket June 17, 1930 1,931,527 Burkett Oct. 24, 1933 1,979,649 Stephenson Nov. 6, 1934 2,463,995 Nielsen Mar. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 695,604 Germany Aug. 29, 1940 

